In-line solenoid transmission interlock device

An in-line automatic transmission shifter interlock device for a motor vehicle of the type having a cable assembly with an outer sheath and an axially movable inner core therein, with said inner core coupled at opposite ends to said interlock device and the transmission of said vehicle, said interlock device selectively permitting or restraining movement of a transmission shifter lever, comprising:

• a rod connected at one end to said inner core and at an opposite end to said shift lever, said rod having at least one rod groove,
• a tubular rod guide encircling said rod and guiding said rod for axial movement, said rod guide having at least one hole extending therethrough,
• a pole piece encircling said rod guide,
• an armature encircling said rod guide and axially movable between a first position displaced from said pole piece and a second position attracted toward said pole piece, said armature having an armature groove communicating with said hole in said rod guide,
• a solenoid winding encircling said pole piece and said armature and urging said armature toward said second position when energized,
• biasing means for urging said armature toward said first position, and
• rod locking means disposed within said hole in said rod guide and operatively associated with said armature groove for selectively inhibiting or permitting axial movement of said rod such that when said armature is in said second position it activates said rod locking means to engage said rod to inhibit axial movement thereof and when said armature is in said first position it de-activates said rod locking means to disengage from said rod to permit axial movement thereof.

An automatic transmission cable assembly having an in-line solenoid interlock device, said cable assembly coupling the transmission of a vehicle to an operator actuated shift lever for selectively permitting or restraining said operator from actuating said shift lever, comprising:

• an axially movable elongated core member coupled at one end to said transmission;
• an outer sheath encircling said core member;
• rod means for connecting an opposite end of said core member to said shift lever, said rod means having at least one annular groove provided thereon;
• a solenoid device coaxially surrounding said rod means and having a pole piece and an armature encircling said rod means, said armature axially movable between a first position displaced from said pole piece to a second position attracted toward said pole piece, said armature defining a generally step-like inside groove adjacent said rod means defining first and second groove surfaces, said solenoid device further including a solenoid winding surrounding said pole piece and said armature for urging said armature toward said second position when energized, and bias means for urging said armature toward said first position;
• and
• rod locking means disposed between said step-like groove on said armature and said rod means for inhibiting axial movement of said rod means when said armature is in one of said positions and permitting said axial movement when said armature is in the other of said positions, said first groove surface of said step-like armature groove urging said rod locking means to interlockingly engage said groove in said rod means so as to inhibit axial movement of said rod means when said armature is in one of said positions and said second groove surface of said step-like armature groove permitting said rod locking means to releasably disengage said groove in said rod means so as to permit axial movement of said rod means when said armature is in the other of said positions.